The Northern California city of Arcata has long tolerated the production of California's most second-most-lucrative mood-altering crop. Now, the city is considering an official zoning designation to accommodate marijuana production.
They don't call it the "Emerald Triangle" for nothing. Emerald has long referred to the lush forests of California's north coast, and, more recently, to its profusion of black-market marijuana production. Lately, though, green has referred to cash—the roughly $1.4 billion that the commercial marijuana industry, operating on the fringes of legality, has brought to the region. Statewide, the weed industry is estimated to be worth $31 billion annually, compared to $51 billion for wine.
With potentially hundreds of growers, producers, and chefs operating within its city limits, the hippie-friendly city of Arcata has taken steps to become the first city in the country to regulate, and accommodate, not only pot dispensaries (which are legal for consumers of medical marijuana in California) but also production facilities. The logic, say some city officials, is clear: give producers a proper, safe place to operate, and they won't invade neighborhoods or, worse, create dangerous, unsanitary products.
Arcata's city council has taken preliminary steps to create a "Medical Marijuana Innovation Zone," which could be implemented by the end of the year. It could potentially accommodate indoor growers and producers of edibles, among others. This move hearkens back to the origins of zoning, by which cities segregated noxious uses from everyday folks. If the industry continues to grow, the zoning could serve as a model for other cities in pot-friendly states and give Arcata a leg up if Californians vote to legalize recreational marijuana, as it might next year via a ballot measure.
"City officials say the power of zoning offers its best, and perhaps only, tool for regulating the marijuana industry, which otherwise depends on decisions at the state level. Arcata-based attorney Mark Harris, advisor to the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) says he considers the zone an 'overwhelmingly positive' development. He sees this approach as a model not only for cities throughout California but also for those in other pot-friendly states."
"It’s refreshing to see local authorities recognizing that their communities will benefit economically by welcoming the transition of this already lucrative cash crop from criminal hands to tax-paying, job-creating, law-abiding businesses," says "Radical" Russ Belville, a Portland, Oregon-based radio host and marijuana activist.
FULL STORY: California City Moves Toward Innovation Zone for Marijuana
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.